Runt was jumping up and down at this point, bursting with energy. She wanted to start sprinting laps around the room. It felt like she could run forever and never run out of breath.
She nodded so enthusiastically at Xia, it looked like her little head would pop right off her shoulders. "A crown! Humanity will prevail!! Of course, this is
the Runt Jin you're speaking to, at your service!!!"
"OH MY GOD!!!" Runt suddenly exclaimed, throwing her arms around Xia in a bearhug.
Eletha had approached and was calling her big sister. The kid was so freakin cute, Runt's heart was gonna melt! Also, it was fortunate Eletha was here, because now Runt didn't have to be the shortest.
"Don't worry, little one!" Runt detached herself from Xia and saluted dramatically with one hand over her heart. "I, Runt Jin the Next Heroine of Humanity, will do my duty for the sake of mankind!! And all cute kids like you!!!"
She immediately sprinted off down the corridors and was soon out of sight.
* Tags: Other Girls
---
Parlando chuckled, imagining a small child punching Wayne out without even trying. It wouldn't be surprising after the embarrassing scene that just happened.
There was a loud crash from the other room. Wayne was no longer screaming like a two year old. Probably Alder knocked him out in his rampage. Pearl reclined in his chair, looking forward to tonight.
"Even if Wayne stays with us, I'm sure he will be a
little quieter." He chuckled. "And if he isn't, we could work together to lock him in the washroom."
Pearl wrinkled up his nose at the mention of Wayne's sickening hog stench. "I'm not sure how he survives with his own smell. He seems to enjoy having bad hygiene. Anyway, I'm glad I have a sense of smell. Even if I have to deal with Wayne. At least I get to smell these delicious pancakes- I never thought Commander Alder would be a good cook."
* Tags: Ant, Kevin
---
Two weeks ago...
Knock, knock.
Rowan approached the doors, feeling a sense of dread gripping his heart. King Haden was close behind him. The knock that sounded could mean two things.
One; the Hellborn had vanquished humanity's heroine, and they had come to say "game over".
Two; Acacia had done the impossible.
In either case, the battle was over. Peace would come in the form of salvation or death. Rowan pushed open the doors, hardly daring to look.
"... It's over." It was the familiar calm voice, her voice. "It's over, and humankind will live on."
Relief washed over him. Emboldened, he finally looked, and immediately wished he hadn't. The Commander kneeling before the gate looked like a victim out of a horror movie. Crisscrossed with scars, uniform in tatters, a stray arrow sticking out of her neck. This was Rowan's first day on the job as a medic, and already he was dealing with the undead.
"Oh my god." Rowan could not handle this alone. "King Haden!"
He heard rushing footsteps behind him. Soon, the king emerged and stood by his side. Rowan clung to King Haden's arm to steady himself so he wouldn't collapse.
"I'm here." Haden's voice was calm but terribly worried, like a father trying to comfort his wounded child. "Oh, Acacia... what happened to you?"
"Do not worry about me." Acacia held something out. With a closer look, Rowan realized it was a person. He recognized the tangled blonde hair, the face beneath the wounds... It was his friend Ondine Malaya. Although Rowan was overjoyed she was alive, he felt terrible just seeing the state she was in. Barely clinging to life.
"Take the girl," The Commander insisted. "There is still time."
Rowan stepped forward, knowing he had to fulfill his responsibility. Acacia had done her part. As horrified as Rowan felt, he could not let his emotions interfere with his duty. He took Ondine into his arms and began to walk down the corridor at a brisk pace. As the only doctor left alive, the burden of her life or death rested alone on his shoulders.
Behind him, he heard the fading voices of King Haden and Commander Acacia.
"... You're a good woman, Commander. Thank you for all you've done.
"It was my duty."
"You did well. Now please, come with us."
"No. I cannot."
"No? But... You're hurt. We can help you."
"I am sorry. You cannot save someone who is already... already..."
"What is wrong?"
"Ah... take my pulse."
"..."
A pause. There must have been silence, judging from what Acacia was implying. To confirm Rowan's suspicions, when Haden spoke again, his voice sounded resigned and strained with grief.
"I understand. Could we at least make you comfortable somehow?"
"... Father..."
For a second, Rowan could swear he heard pain in her voice. He almost thought he imagined it. As she continued speaking, her voice returned to normal. There was no mistaking her calm and steady baritone for anybody else.
"I want to see the sunflowers... one last time."
"I will take you there."
A voice snapped him out of his memories. A girl's voice. Rowan stood up, looking over his unconscious friend one more time. Ondine was finally in stable condition and no longer needed life support, thanks to Rowan using his healing power every day. It had developed after the Commander...
... He didn't like to think about it. At least Acacia got to see those sunflowers though.
Rowan raced down the corridor towards the entrance. Once he reached the girl, he realized there was another injured teenager in her arms.
These must be Acacia's Chosen, the teenagers training underground near the barrier...Rowan took a deep breath to calm himself. At least it wasn't a horrific scene, such as Acacia's dreadful appearance when she reached the castle. Rowan hoped nothing like
that ever happened again.
"My name is Rowan, Gardener Castle's healer," He introduced himself calmly, and held out his arms to take the incapacitated girl. He might have an easier time carrying her since, at this point, he was used to it.
"I should be able to help your friend." Rowan looked the teenager in the eye steadily. "I want you to tell me exactly what happened, as well as you remember it, please."
* Tags: Ember, Rain